Am I in early Labour?
Or just feeling like crap....

Hi ladies,So this is bubs number 1 so I have no previous experiences to compare to. I also live overseas (Taiwan) so things are done a little differently over here.

Anyway, I am 38w1d today, and for the last 2 days I have been feeling like i've been hit by a truck. I worked up only last Thursday and didn't nap at all during that time. I've started feeling like crap since the day after my last working day.

It's hard to describe how I feel. My neck and shoulders are soooo beyond sore.. and no amount of stretching/massaging is helping..I've had a headache since Friday (which I haven't taken anything for) and I never get headaches..I feel like i've got an internalised fever if you know what I mean, although my temp is reading as normal.I'm flushed and hot in the face.Bubs is so heavy, and I feel like everytime I stand up I immediately get strong BH..I'm absolutely exhausted.. I had 2x 1 hr naps yesterday and still slept 11 hours last night!I feel "open" if you know what i mean..

I saw my OB yesterday who just said bubs will come when bubs will come.. And that was it.. BP fine, etc etc.. She didn't do an internal because they don't do that overhere until you are actually in labour.

So, in your experiences, did you feel like this before you went into labor? Or could I just be coming down with something? I certainly hope I don't go into labor feeling like this or I will be exhausted after an hour!

DH says it's just because i'm pregnant and I just need to rest more, which I get, but i was seriously exhausted the second I got out of bed this morning after sleeping ridiculous amounts last night!!Is my body trying to catch up on all it's missed naps?? lol

For me I had weeks of prelabour. some nights a strong contraction would wake me at 2am then continue for hours 10minutes apart, then stop only to return a few nights later. Stabbing pains, burning/stretching pains etc where common too.

I constantly thought 'is this it?'

The real thing became very painful very quickly, it was a deep intense pain. there was no mistaking it!

Ive had 2 spontaneous labours and what you are describing sounds just like "over it, end of pregnancy" symptoms to me. But the joy of pregnancy is that you never know really! It could be tonight! My first I had no idea he was on his way at 38 weeks and the 2nd felt like he was arriving any moment from 37 weeks (and he was then over due).

But really it sounds to me like youve just finished work and are exhausted. Your body is trying to get you to slow down and rest in time for the big event possibly? I think early labour is likely to be more pronounced. Just try and relax and see what happens. Drink lots of water for that "hot" feeling. Enjoy every moment like its your last of being pregnant the best you can would be my only thoughts. Those last days/weeks can be rough when you are waiting for your beautiful baby to arrive. Good luck!

For me I had weeks of prelabour. some nights a strong contraction would wake me at 2am then continue for hours 10minutes apart, then stop only to return a few nights later. Stabbing pains, burning/stretching pains etc where common too.

I constantly thought 'is this it?'

The real thing became very painful very quickly, it was a deep intense pain. there was no mistaking it!

This was it for me last week, i had prelabour 3 weeks ago on and off for two weeks. Then when the real labour hit, i knew it was the real thing.

Thanks for all the responses ladies.I have taken all of your advice on board and scheduled myself in a daily nap time! And yes, I did say schedule, otherwise i'm likely to procrastinate my day away and get nothing, not even a nap done.. lol... the life of a workaholic...

And Indigogirl, when I woke up to go to the bathroom at about 4am, bubs starting kicking and punching a storm, and knowing I didn't have to go to work today, I let myself just lie there and enjoy it. I will miss all the squirming that's for sure.

Yyyyyyaaaaaaayyyyy for being a mum soon! So excited for you lovely, I was only thinking of you the other day and thought you would be heaps close. Can't wait to hear the news! All the best for a textbook birth x

OP please keep an eye on your headache and shoulder pain as I believe they can be symptoms of pre-eclampsia. With my last I ended up with hellp syndrome at 37 weeks and I had very bad shoulder and back pain and pain under the front of my bra area. Mine was found through a blood test but I did feel very ill. I hope your baby comes soon for you x

In spite of being in an almost constant state of motion while looking after the kids and trying to keep things together at home, it can seem as though parents have managed to get nothing on the to-do list done by the end of the day.

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